Kerala State Road Transport Corporation’s Budget Tourism has turned out to be a money spinner for the public sector undertaking. Launched in November 2021, the project has generated Rs.16 crores in revenue in the past 15 months by conducting more than 4,500 trips and enabling 3.5 lakh tourists to visit varied destinations in the State through 800 tour packages.
KSRTC innovative and exclusive packages like women-only trips are also a great hit and so far 200 of these have been conducted. Keeping in mind their social responsibilities the PSU also organised 30 trips for inmates of different orphanages and other welfare organisations for free.
Sharing details N.K. Jacob Sam Lopez, Chief Traffic Manager, Budget Tourism Cell, KSRTC, said the organisation has been able to carve a niche for itself in the domestic tourism sector in a short time and has handled most of the tourists in the State. As per Lopez the reason for this is offering 800 different types of trips which are inclusive of accommodation and food at low rates.
The generation of revenue has been achieved without incurring any extra cost. While the long trips provide fuel efficiency, the buses used don’t require frequent maintenance like the ones for daily services. The personnel involved in the tourism cell ensure that the customers are completely satisfied and so far no complaint has been received.
The trips are generally conducted on the weekends without causing any disruption in the normal bus services.
Among the destinations that are greatly favoured by tourists are Munnar, Malakappara and also those to forest areas like Rosmala, Thattekad, Nelliyampathy, Ponmudi, Gavi and Arippa.
The Cell added another feather to its cap by receiving the award for moving maximum tourists for Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation’s Sagara Rani in Kochi and the luxury cruise Nefertiti.
With a view to expand their reach, KSRTC is planning to provide low-cost accommodation to tourists, AC dormitories and AC sleeper buses in line with those that are available at Munnar and Sultan Bathery depots. Further, they are planning to rope in owners of lodges, homestays and dormitories to provide low-cost accommodation also.
Also read: Kerala ties up with IRCTC for new tourist packages
